At the entrance of the Western Market in Daxia’s capital.

In the morning, government officials would post imperial decrees here. By midday, it became a site for executions. Occasionally, people would also beat the injustice drum to lodge complaints.

The area was always lively because people couldn’t resist their curiosity. Even after the market’s peak hours, it remained bustling with voices and activity.

On this particular day, a woman with dark skin, slightly curly brown hair, and a striking red dress strode toward the injustice drum. She carried a massive wooden box in one hand and a large wooden stick in the other, her presence commanding attention.

A man with a jade crown and dressed in white rushed forward to block her path. “You can’t strike it! You really can’t! That’s the injustice drum! Just wait a little longer. I’m trying to arrange for you to meet His Highness.”

“Stop trying to fool me!” The curly-haired woman brushed the man’s hand aside. “From the Xiongnu lands all the way to Daxia, you’ve been stringing me along this whole time! I want to meet the Crown Prince—face to face with that heartless scoundrel!”

“Don’t say that! Please, don’t say that!” The man’s voice trembled as though he was on the verge of tears.

But as soon as the words “heartless scoundrel Crown Prince” were uttered, the market erupted. From who knows where, a crowd suddenly materialized, all whispering among themselves:

“Oh my, is this a story of chasing a husband across a thousand miles?”

“The Crown Prince only reached adulthood a few years ago! Has he been on the battlefield so long that his standards have dropped?”

“What do you know? An older woman is a treasure. Look at all that gold she’s wearing—she’s a walking gold mine!”

The Crown Prince, who had rushed over, turned pale upon hearing these remarks.

Young officials who had tagged along with the Emperor to “watch the drama” held their breath, their eyes glued to the imposing woman in the distance.

Some officials, who had not heard the inner voice of Yuan Ruan, looked utterly baffled. One asked in confusion, “Why are we all watching? Is there something special about the person striking the drum?”

The Minister of Revenue looked at him in shock. “Did you not hear?”

“Hear what?” The man remained clueless.

Just as the Minister was about to explain, the mysterious voice sounded in his mind again:

[Wow! So the Crown Prince knew she’d follow him here? Is this going to turn into a ‘Wife Chasing Crematorium’ drama?]

Hearing that there was more scandal to uncover, the Minister immediately ignored his confused colleague and joined the young officials who could hear the voice. Together, they pondered in astonishment: Wife Chasing Crematorium?

The Minister of War suddenly nudged the Minister of Revenue and whispered, “If the Crown Prince’s rich patroness is here, and things go well, could this mean more funds for our army?”

The of Revenue pulled out his abacus to calculate and coldly replied, “Scram.”

The Crown Prince’s face darkened: He had never had any actual relationship with this woman—don’t just assume it like that! Why should he be saddled with such a reputation?

“Seize the two troublemakers!”

With the Crown Prince’s command, palace guards surged forward. Both the man and the woman showed some skill in combat, but upon realizing these were the Crown Prince’s men, the woman struggled briefly before stepping forward boldly. The man sighed and lowered his head, following suit.

“Kneel, both of you!”

The man dropped to his knees, trembling as he stammered, “Y-Your Highness!”

When the Crown Prince unleashed his full authority, his expression cold and emotionless, he bore a striking resemblance to the Emperor. His presence was enough to intimidate all onlookers. Taking a large step forward, the Crown Prince grabbed the man by the collar.

“It’s you? Do you know the penalty for slandering the royal family is death?” The Crown Prince’s icy glare bore into him.

“Y-Your Highness, Your Highness…”

Suddenly, the woman broke free from the guards, stepping in front of the man and shielding him. She faced the Crown Prince directly, anger blazing in her eyes. “If you want to kill someone, kill me! He’s innocent—he was coerced by me! Go ahead, strike me down, you heartless man!”

With those words, she grabbed a guard’s sword and held it against her own neck.

The guards froze. She dared call the Crown Prince “heartless,” but none of them could truly harm her.

The crowd was stunned.

A young official whispered, “Your Highness, it’s normal for a young man to have a colorful past.”

“Exactly, Your Highness!”

The Crown Prince was so enraged that his expression twisted in fury. “You… You shameless woman! When have I ever had anything to do with you—”

“Then where did my child come from?!” The woman boldly pointed at her stomach. “That night, when you came to discuss coal production, you got drunk, and I escorted you to your room. What? Do all you Daxia men refuse to own up to your actions?”

The Crown Prince froze for two seconds before turning abruptly to glare at the kneeling man.

Yuan Ruan, watching from afar, was thoroughly entertained. However, the system’s voice cut in hesitantly:

[Ruan, how does this woman not realize she slept with the wrong man?]

Everyone: ???

Wait, the wrong man?

Could it be that the woman has nothing to do with the Crown Prince?

Yuan Ruan was stunned. It was as if her sweet melon had suddenly turned into a bitter one:

[What? She isn’t actually the Crown Prince’s lover?]

[No! She was infatuated with the Crown Prince, but it was the man kneeling on the ground she slept with.]

The Emperor: …

The Crown Prince: !!!

Tears of relief welled up in the Crown Prince’s heart. Finally—finally, someone had proven his innocence!

The young officials exchanged awkward glances. Those who had advised the Crown Prince earlier looked especially embarrassed, mentally cursing themselves: Why did I say such stupid things?!

Only the Minister of Revenue appeared devastated, as if watching his financial savior grow legs and run away.

[Wait! Why was there such a mix-up?]

Everyone: !!!

Tell us! We’re curious too!

[This man, a wild rogue with ambitious schemes, deliberately impersonated the Crown Prince to get close to the wealthy woman. Both were drunk, and under the cover of darkness, the misunderstanding happened.]

Everyone: ???

This kind of twist? Not even fictional novels dared write it like this!

Some less wealthy officials even began to wonder if they should try impersonating nobles to find their own wealthy benefactors.

[But wait, isn’t this an easy misunderstanding to clear up?]

Everyone also began to feel something was off. This wasn’t exactly a complicated situation.

The system sighed. [Oh dear! The twist connects to an earlier scandal.]

Everyone: !!!

Quick, tell us more!

[Wait, I need to pee.]

Everyone: …

What? Even the mysterious voice needs bathroom breaks?!

The sudden relatability left everyone momentarily dumbfounded.

The Emperor quickly ordered a palace maid to escort Yuan Ruan to the restroom.

The mysterious voice abruptly fell silent.

At this moment, another clueless official asked, “Why is everyone standing still? Why hasn’t the Crown Prince acted yet?”

The Minister of Revenue glanced at him thoughtfully before asking, “You really can’t hear it?”

“What? Hear what? Birds chirping and flowers blooming?”

Annoyed, the clueless official pulled another young official over. “Can you hear anything?”

The official shook his head, confused.

The Minister scrutinized them before murmuring, “This must be the Emperor’s true intention for summoning us here today.”

The other official: ???

The Minister of War nodded. “I’ve observed this as well. Officials of the sixth rank and below seem unable to hear the voice.”

The clueless officials: !!!

What?! Are they discriminating by rank now?

All the low-ranking officials who couldn’t hear the voice suddenly felt collectively slighted, as if they’d been struck by an invisible arrow.

Meanwhile, those who could hear realized the Emperor had orchestrated this gathering to determine who could hear the mysterious voice and why. It became evident that the voice belonged to the gentle, adorable infant princess. The Emperor’s care in protecting her underscored how much he cherished her.

As everyone reflected, the familiar voice returned:

[Ah, so that’s the full picture. The melon is clear now.]

Everyone stumbled in shock: ???

Wait, you ate the melon by yourself?

What about us, left here like abandoned gleaners in the melon field?!